LSAT Passage 4 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage contains the following sentences: 'The majority opinion relied on precedent X. The dissent, by contrast, argued that precedent X was distinguishable on its facts.' What logical move is the dissent making?
- Overruling precedent X entirely
- Arguing that precedent X should be applied more broadly
- Claiming that the differences between the current case and precedent X make it inapplicable (Correct answer)
- Agreeing with the majority but proposing a different remedy
Correct answer: Claiming that the differences between the current case and precedent X make it inapplicable
Distinguishing a precedent means arguing that factual differences make it inapplicable to the current case, which is the dissent's move here.
Question 2: An LSAT passage presents scientific evidence for a claim in paragraphs 1-3, then paragraph 4 introduces a methodological criticism of the studies cited. What is the most likely purpose of paragraph 4?
- To introduce a new, unrelated scientific topic
- To undermine the evidentiary basis for the claim made in paragraphs 1-3 (Correct answer)
- To reinforce the conclusion of paragraphs 1-3 with additional support
- To provide biographical background on the scientists mentioned
Correct answer: To undermine the evidentiary basis for the claim made in paragraphs 1-3
A methodological criticism attacks the quality of the evidence presented, thereby undermining the claim those studies were meant to support.
Question 3: A passage about First Amendment law includes: 'Content-neutral regulations are subject to intermediate scrutiny, while content-based restrictions trigger strict scrutiny.' A question asks what happens when a law targets specific viewpoints. Based on the passage, such a law would most likely:
- Be subject to no judicial review because speech is protected
- Face intermediate scrutiny as a content-neutral regulation
- Face strict scrutiny as a content-based restriction (Correct answer)
- Be automatically upheld under the rational basis test
Correct answer: Face strict scrutiny as a content-based restriction
A viewpoint-based law is a subset of content-based restrictions, which the passage states trigger strict scrutiny.
Question 4: In a comparative passage, Author A argues that common law evolves organically through judicial decisions, while Author B argues it must be codified to ensure predictability. A question asks: on which point would both authors most likely agree?
- Common law systems are inferior to civil law systems
- Judicial decisions play some role in shaping legal rules (Correct answer)
- Codification is the superior method for developing law
- Predictability is not a legitimate goal of legal systems
Correct answer: Judicial decisions play some role in shaping legal rules
Both authors discuss common law and judicial decisionsāeven Author B, who favors codification, implicitly acknowledges that judicial decisions currently shape the law.
Question 5: An LSAT passage uses an analogy comparing the brain's neural networks to a city's transportation grid. A question asks what the analogy is meant to illustrate. The best answer would identify:
- That brains and cities have evolved for similar purposes
- How a complex system's efficiency depends on the connectivity and capacity of its pathways (Correct answer)
- That neural networks can be physically mapped onto city streets
- The historical relationship between urban planning and neuroscience
Correct answer: How a complex system's efficiency depends on the connectivity and capacity of its pathways
The analogy draws on the shared structural principle that both systems depend on well-connected, high-capacity pathways for efficient functioning.
Question 6: A passage's main claim is supported by three pieces of evidence. A question asks which answer choice, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument. The correct answer should:
- Introduce an entirely new argument unrelated to the passage's evidence
- Provide additional support for one of the three pieces of evidence or the main claim (Correct answer)
- Show that the author's conclusion is already proven beyond doubt
- Contradict one of the three pieces of evidence to create balance
Correct answer: Provide additional support for one of the three pieces of evidence or the main claim
A strengthener adds support to the existing argumentāeither buttressing the evidence or directly supporting the main claim.
Question 7: A passage about tort law states: 'Negligence requires proving duty, breach, causation, and damages.' A hypothetical question presents a scenario where all elements are met except the plaintiff suffered no monetary loss. Based on the passage, the plaintiff's negligence claim would most likely:
- Succeed because three of the four elements are satisfied
- Fail because damages is a required element of negligence (Correct answer)
- Succeed because courts can award nominal damages in any tort case
- Fail because causation cannot be established without monetary loss
Correct answer: Fail because damages is a required element of negligence
The passage states all four elementsāincluding damagesāare required for negligence; if damages are absent, the claim fails.
LSAT Passage 4
A passage contains the following sentences: 'The majority opinion relied on precedent X.
The dissent, by contrast, argued that precedent X was distinguishable on its facts.' What logical move is the dissent making?